As I was prepping camping meals for our impromptu camping trip last week, I got to thinking that I should totally be using my cast iron skillet way more in my everyday meal planning. There are a ton of benefits to cooking in a cast iron skillet, including the fact that a seasoned skillet makes your food taste amazing without really much extra work and seasoning.
If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you really should consider adding one to your kitchen gadget menagerie. My personal favorite: the Lodge brand, which offers skillets in a variety of sizes. Pro tip: Be sure to take the time to season your cast iron skillet before you start cooking with it. (Though don’t worry, it’s way easier than you think).
With cast iron cooking in mind, here’s my menu for next week. Grab your pen and paper, or open up that AnyList app and make a shopping list for these recipes for the week ahead.
Top Image: Creamy Tomato Pasta from Beautiful Eats and Things
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Have you tried grilled romaine yet? If not, please stop what you are doing and add it to your list for next week right now. Grilling romaine lettuce is a smoky, sweet treat that the entire family will love. Really. This recipe for Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad with Herbed White Beans (30 Minutes!) by Minimalist Baker comes together really only takes 30 minutes and is an impressive #MeatlessMonday meal. The cast iron skillet works wonders here because you can use it in the house or outside on your grill without making a huge mess.
I fell in love with Shakshuka several years ago when visiting San Francisco with my sister. It was the first time I had it, and I have spent years searching for the perfect recipe. This Shakshuka from Girl With The Iron Cast comes pretty darn close to perfect. Cooking it in the cast iron skillet allows you to have a one pot meal that you can set in the middle of the table so everyone can dip bread into the delicious sauce. Breakfast for dinner, upgraded.
Related: 6 Easy Breakfast for Dinner Recipes
I am trying to incorporate more salmon into our diets for the health benefits. This 6-Minute Crispy Skin Cast Iron Salmon from Tasty Yummies is a recipe I can get behind. Not only does it come together in less than ten minutes, the cast iron skillet heats evenly so the salmon cooks all the way through on all sides. Pro tip: If you can afford it, look for sustainably fished, wild caught salmon. Serve this with a bright green salad or maybe an Asian pasta salad.
Related: How to cook salmon perfectly
Pasta in a cast iron skillet? Yes, you can, and yes, you should! This recipe for Creamy Tomato Pasta Skillet from Beautiful Eats & Things is a fantastic one dish meal that comes together in just about thirty minutes. You will want to use a 15″ cast iron skillet for this dish. Then, set it in the middle of the table and watch it disappear.
Friday night calls for pizza at our place! A few years ago Kate shared this cast-iron pizza recipe from The Food Cafe and it needs to make its way back into my rotation. Pizza crust turns out perfectly in the cast iron skillet and is so delicious and easy. Maybe serve this pizza next to an outdoor movie night with the family.
One other amazing thing you can make in the cast iron skillet: dessert. This Skillet Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp found at Eating Well is fantastic, and makes good use of the fresh produce you can grab at the Farmers Markets or in your CSA box right now. Don’t forget the vanilla ice cream to serve along side this crisp!
Related: Jane’s Grilled Berry Crisp
Follow our Weekly Meal Plan Ideas for Families board on Pinterest @CoolMomEats for even more ideas!
I put these weekly meals plans together based on recipes I am actually cooking for my family, and with you in mind. If you have suggestions, tips or recommendations for recipes or other food bloggers I should check out please comment here, or shoot me a message in our Recipe Rescue group on Facebook. – Lisa
